Facts and rankings

Unlike any other

VCU is a community of more than 300,000 Rams — each a unique mix of style, story and attitude — that is forging a future that is built by us. Every day, we blend discovery and creativity to generate new ideas, all in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Our impact can be felt in more than 200 academic programs, from our world-renowned arts and advertising programs to our top-ranked hospital and health science schools. And it’s all happening in a city that’s teeming with opportunities to make real and lasting change.

If that sounds too good to be true, here are the stats to back it up.

Richmond, Va postcard

Location
Richmond, VA

VCU logo

School colors
Black and gold

Rodney the ram (VCU’s mascot)

Mascot
Rodney the Ram

Quick facts

  • 28,594 students enrolled
  • 16:1 student-faculty ratio
  • 2,457 full-time faculty
  • 221,900 alums

Programs and schools ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s top 50

These rankings are based on the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools, Best Online Colleges and Best Colleges rankings. 

Graduate programs

1st Fine Arts — Sculpture
1st Nurse Anesthesia
2nd Fine Arts — Printmaking
3rd Health Care Management
4th Fine Arts
4th Fine Arts — Graphic Design
5th Time-Based/New Media
6th Rehabilitation Counseling
12th Fine Arts — Painting/Drawing
15th Occupational Therapy
16th Social Policy
17th Urban Policy
19th Public Management and Leadership
20th Pharmacy
20th Physical Therapy
21st Nuclear Engineering
25th Social Work
27th Best Education Schools

Graduate programs (cont.)

36th Public Policy Analysis
39th Public Affairs
41st Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
43rd Clinical Psychology
44th Biostatistics: Doctoral

Online programs

15th Online Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision Program
45th Online Master’s in Education — Overall

Undergraduate programs

31st Nursing

A university for Richmond

  • 25,359 employees at VCU and VCU Health System
  • $6 billion economic impact as Richmond’s largest employer
  • 950+ alumni-owned businesses in Richmond
  • 38% of alums live in Richmond
VCU students on campus

Our students

28,594 students
83% full time
86% Virginia residents
21,548 undergraduates
5,550 graduates

1,496 first professionals
1,424 new transfer students (fall 2023)
1,158 Honors students
1,030 international students
5,973 residence hall capacity

VCU is a Diversity Champion

Undergraduate tuition and fees* and financial aid

Virginia resident: $16,233
Nonresident: $38,817
Room and board**: $13,283
Average financial aid awarded to full-time undergraduates seeking assistance in 2022-23: $20,261

* Based on 15 credit hours per semester and 30 credit hours for the 2023-24 year. This does not include program fees, which vary based on a student’s major.

** Room charge is based on a double occupancy in Rhoads Hall and the dining rate is for the 200 swipe with $225 dining dollars meal plan.

Quick facts

  • Top 20 Most innovative public university by U.S. News & World Report
  • Top 50 National Science Foundation public research university
  • Top 20% Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report

Our research and innovation

  • One of only 64 public universities nationwide classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an “R1 Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity,” as well as its prestigious “Community Engagement” status.
  • More than $460 million in sponsored research in FY 2023
  • Among public universities, seven of our schools and programs rank in the top 20 in terms of funding from the National Institutes of Health — pharmacology (No. 12), family medicine (No. 13), psychiatry (No. 14), School of Dentistry (No. 14), School of Nursing (No. 16), School of Pharmacy (No. 16) and genetics (No. 17)
  • Recipient of the Innovation & Economic Prosperity Talent award from the Association of Public Land-grant Universities in 2023.

No. 1 hospital in Richmond

  • VCU Medical Center is both the region’s safety net hospital and its No. 1-ranked hospital (per the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings). 
  • It is the only Level I trauma center in the region that is verified in burn, pediatric and adult trauma care.
  • More than 800 clinical trials and research studies open for enrollment

Campuses

198 acres in downtown Richmond: Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus. And we earned a Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Looking for even more facts about VCU? 

Explore the latest facts and figures.

Accreditation

SACSCOC

VCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. VCU also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of VCU may be directed in writing to SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

For more information, visit academics.provost.vcu.edu/assessment-and-accreditation/accreditation-and-licensure.

Additional accreditations

For information on specialized university program accreditations or certifications, please visit the department or office website of which the program is a part, or view this list of specialized accreditations by college or school.

Student consumer information

Students and prospective students may find the information resources of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia of use in planning for college and careers. SCHEV has created an institutional profile for each Virginia public college and university, and for each independent college or university participating in the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program.

View VCU’s profile »